BURIED ALIVE

Why did it have to rain now of all times? It really was a shame. The one time she came out here to do a housevisit in, what? Months, maybe even years. And then it had to rain. Great, that was really great. For a few seconds, Shizuka had simply stopped, and debated just going back. But she did not think she would be much welcome in that house anymore, at least until that incident was forgotten. People who asked for her healing were rare enough, so they generally knew what they were getting into, but that didn’t mean they liked it.

Heck, if they could somehow get a fourth division healer to come by, they surely would prefer that. Yet, poor enough people like the man she had just visited took anything they could get, and would rather pass out in pain than be bedridden for months.

He had held out quite a while, come to think of it. She should have commended it, but then again, she’d been too busy enjoying this to think of that.


Alas, there was no point in going back there, and she just had to deal with rain starting up right on top of her. There even was thunder, just to add insult to the injury. Wearing the standard shinigami robes that had been ‘in’ for at least a few century, she was awfully ill prepared for this, and simply begun to run back towards Seiretei, although she wasn’t wasting Hoho on something like this. Never without urgency, wasn’t that the saying?

Besides, with the ground becoming muddy and slippery rather quick, there was a limit as to how fast someone should move, anyway. Especially when she did not really knew where to go to, anyway. With good weather, she could just see her goal in the distance, but like this? Much less so.


In fact, she could barely see where she went, and would have likely run into someone, if there was another person stupid enough to be out in this weather.

Thud.


In the first moment, Shizuka was way too surprised by the sudden hit to even acknowledge it had been her. Sure, she heard the sound, noticed her vision being thrown in disarray, as she was being thrown herself. But she really only registered someone being hit by someone else, not that she was involved herself.


That changed, though, when she ended up face first in the mud. Due to the impact having forced her to exhale, she got some of that stuff in her mouth, too, causing her to cough first and ask questions later. However, just because her mind did not realize the proceedings quickly, that did not mean that her body was as sluggish as well. That would hardly befit the newly appointed fourth seat of the eleventh, now would it?


Her hand almost immediately grasped her Zanpakutou, just in time to meet another hand that was trying to grab it as well. Given that she still could not see what was going on behind her, although she quickly tried to remedy that, she yanked on her weapon, to get it free of that person’s grip, putting all her physical strength into that motion.


All that happened somewhat subconsciously, but she was not one to lag behind forever, especially not in a situation that made her feel anger. As long as that struggle would continue, she would first tense up, and then try to shake the other off by rolling, not giving a single care about how much further that would stain her clothes. She was still vehemently trying to get the last bit of mud out of her mouth, so all that was quite unrefined, just an application of brute force, in which she was lacking, so the outcome was quite open anyway.

She just hoped that she would get a glimpse of her assailant, through her now mud-stained white hair, which proved kind of annoying right then, by virtue of gravity.

This really was rather uncomfortable. Not just the wet mud she had ended up in, that whole foot and blade to the back thing was kind of annoying, too. Sure, it was a bit painful, but it would be stupidly ironic if she of all people had a problem with that. Her problem was more one of strength and weight. While the other was too light to be a male – and certainly did not sound like one – she did obviously have more power, which was always annoying.

If her captain could see this, she would be utterly disappointed, of course, but Shizuka decided not to fight. No one would just threaten her like this, if they wanted to kill her. Too comfortable a stabbing range for that one. So she decided to first finish the whole coughing business and then turn her head around far enough to see the other in the pouring rain.

She was a shinigami too. Of course she was.

“I will not drop my weapon. But my name is Shizuka Kobayashi and my purpose was getting back home before being drenched. Though I am debating on turning it into hearing your screams, if you don’t get off of me soon, highwayman.”

Mentioning her full name and division was something she’d rather not to. Just in case word could reach the captain, of course. Besides, she was not really threatening, while saying this. As per usual, she acted small, only added decisiveness into her voice without really raising it.

Hmm…that was interesting. Shizuka was not exactly sure whether she should welcome this development, or disdain it. Sure, she did like that person stopping to be this hostile, but for someone that she did not know to get her name this quickly, that was odd to say the least. Especially considering that she had tried to keep that a sort of secret, so word could not reach the Taichou. Yeah, it wasn’t good at all, only a bit better.


Still, the literal weight was lifted from her back, allowing her to finally get up again and take account of the effects of this hilarious  misunderstanding. She was covered in dirt like that and soaked on top of it. This was worse than simply getting a bit of rain onto her, much worse. If she’d caught a cold from this, miss flustered rumbling over there would pay dearly for it. And no, she cared little about that dangerous person supposedly running around here. The law enforcement was just as dangerous, after all.


And yet, this girl was already busy looking for someone again. Given that her clothes were ruined anyway, she used a bit untarnished sleeve to clear her face a little, watching this person in the process. The harm was done already, in that regard, and concerning the whole getting soaked thing. So she was not exactly in a hurry anymore and just allowed it to fall onto her, hoping it would get that mud off of her. Then she decidedly made a couple of steps forward, until she reached that girl’s personal space. And then some more, so she could pretty much shove her face into the stranger’s. She still did not look angry, but when things like this happened, she always got kind of frank.

“Well, I am not alone anymore, now am I? So how about you tell me your name as well? I am not particularly fond of people knowing me in such a one way matter. Also, tell me more about this person. I would really like to know just what kind of dangerous one you were protecting me so very well.”

“Pah, who do you think I am?”

Although she replied like this, Shizuka could not help but smile inwardly. So this person acting all icey was one of those who could not deal with people being a bit more upfront than usual. That was a good start for revenge, wasn’t it? Still, the girl continued to be as stiff as a popsicle, for what appeared to be a valid reason. The third seat was not for stupid little girls after all – surprise dropkicks in the rain did not count - so she did realize a serious situation, when she was caught up in one. She simply did not like how she was treated here, though.

“I am not seeking your protection. I just want to see the person who caused you to kick me in the mud. Then I will decide whether I forgive you or not. So the way I see it, you either tell me, or you get distracted by me. That’s your decision, Alva-honey.”

Vision was getting her nowhere. Mist from the rain had made it nearly impossible to see, and she was getting tired of straining for a glimpse of anything worth note. Shizuka kept prattling and Carmen shot her a look. "Then stick around. I'm sure you'll see him soon enough." She spat through clenched teeth, closing her eyes in frustration. This is not how she wanted this to go down. 

As she stood there simmering, the familiar sound of boots against mud began again. An eye opened, focusing on the idling woman beside her. Then that must mean... Her heart picked up then, every muscle tensing. She put a finger to her lips, signaling for silence from her companion. She cocked her neck, angling her better ear to where she assumed the sound was coming from. It was quieting with every step, the person was moving away from them. She glanced after the source, squinting to try to find something to look at. Nothing met her view, but someone was definitely out there. 

He must have heard them talking loudly amongst one another. Being the evasive type meant he would rather flee than fight, but that didn't mean he was totally opposed to it. If they were to go running after him, he wouldn't submit easily. The retreating sounds were carrying him away from the noise, and if they were to stop talking, he would stop being so leisurely about it. They couldn't surprise him, not after the previous hiccup Carmen had made. Dammit. She bit her lip as she considered her options. There weren't many to choose from, honestly, and the only one she foresaw as being successful, was the one she had tried so desperately to avoid. Carmen sighed angrily at this conclusion before looking up at Shizuka with a fierce look of sincerity blazing in her dark eyes.

"Kobayashi, are you a fighter?"

She ignored the sarcastic jab, nodding in relief. Carmen took the lead after Shizuka offered it, trying her best to be quiet even when the element of surprise had been yanked from her grip. She would curse herself a million times after this, a million times more if she failed. No, she had to cleanse her mind of these missteps for now. Lingering upon them would not help her succeed. The mud caught her foot again and again, the sick popping noise being an unavoidable consequence. No matter, she ignored it. 

The man was becoming more clear through the sheets of rain. She was sure he was a man, prayed it was the man, and slowed her pace a bit. She extended her blade before her, knowing all too well that she was not playing offense. Her eyes followed every movement he made, waiting for him to turn and fight or to simply keep on walking. Sanzaru hummed in her grasp, waiting to be summoned from its dormant state. She had to time it perfectly. As soon as he made a movement, she would have to counter it somehow. All of her senses tuned in to his actions, leaving Shizuka to account for herself. Hopefully she was following her lead.

At least this fight was two against one. Perhaps that would make for an advantage. That or it could be a huge drawback. Carmen hoped her luck was good; she couldn't bare to see her first mistake lead right into another. 

She continued on in slow pursuit, one step at a time. Waiting for the inevitable and hoping she could take it, whatever it was.